the other thing we/I did.

I have been obsessing most of my life over a sort of peppermint cookie that the older Mennonite women in my family/neighborhood used to make for potlucks/funerals/what-have-yous.   I am aware that no recipe is actually going to measure up to my memories of these.  That didn't stop me from checking out all the local grocers and then finally sending Paul across town to procure the two ingredients that are consistent in all the recipes I've been able to dig up-- baker's ammonia and Peppermint Oil. 

They are called White Cookies or Peppermint Ammonia cookies or more accurately "Gruznikje" or "Pfefferminzkuake".  I know.  Yikes.  It is very important that you let them sit for hours (or ideally overnight) after production so that the oil can mellow out.  Also-- the ammonia stinks like, well, ammonia.  They are extremely light and nice, but only after the initial antiseptic mint bite is gone.  Sounds appetizing, doesn't it?  They are good.  I promise.  I used the recipe from here.  I know the woman who wrote out these recipes (no ammonia!), but if you google them you'll see how consistent most of the ingredient lists are.

I'm going to put some in the freezer for family to taste and then maybe try another recipe.  I used too much oil this time, I think.  The rest are going to Mariko's house  tonight.  I made some dark chocolate ganache and dribbled the heck out them.  Paul is now declaring them a success.